EPA Warns Against Use of Refrigerant Substitutes That Pose Fire and Explosion Risk
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Last updated on 31/3/2015 http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/61416ea839b0618e85257b9b0065aec0!opendocument Newsroom EPA Warns Against Use of Refrigerant Substitutes That Pose Fire and Explosion Risk Release Date: 07/01/2013 Contact Information: Dale Kemery (news media only), [email protected], 2025647839, 2025644355 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is warning homeowners, propane manufacturers and sellers, home improvement contractors and air conditioning technicians of potential safety hazards related to the use of propane or other unapproved refrigerants in home air conditioning systems. EPA is currently investigating instances where propane has been marketed and used as a substitute for HCFC22 (R22), a refrigerant that is widely used in home air conditioning systems. Home air conditioning systems are not designed to handle propane or other similar flammable refrigerants. The use of these substances poses a potential fire or explosion hazard for homeowners and service technicians. EPA is aware of incidents that have occurred both overseas and in the U.S. where individuals have been injured as a result of the use of propane and other unapproved refrigerants in air conditioning systems. We are investigating and will take enforcement actions where appropriate. Other names for these unapproved refrigerants include R290, 22a, 22A, R 22a, HC22a, and CARE 40. At this time, EPA has not approved the use of propane refrigerant or other hydrocarbon refrigerants in any type of air conditioner. Homeowners and technicians are strongly recommended to limit use of propane or other hydrocarbons to only those appliances specifically designed for these substances and that are properly marked to alert technicians that the equipment contains a flammable substance. EPA has approved the use of propane as a substitute refrigerant for R22 in industrial process refrigeration systems and in new, standalone retail food refrigerators and freezers that are specifically designed to use flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants. R22 is being phased out of production and importation under the Montreal Protocol, an environmental treaty ratified by every country in the world designed to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of ozone depleting substances. EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program has already listed numerous refrigerants with improved environmental, health and safety profiles and continues to evaluate other refrigerants that can be used to replace R22 and other ozonedepleting substances. More information about the EPA’s SNAP program: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/ More information about R22a and alternatives for air conditioning: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/r22a.html Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases Get news releases by email View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website. Recent additions 30/03/2015 EPA Seeks Input for Potential Rule Banning or Restricting the Use of N Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and Methylene Chloride for Use in Paint and Coating Removal 30/03/2015 EPA Seeks Input for Potential Rule Banning or Restricting the Use of Trichloroethylene (TCE) as a Commercial Degreaser, Spotting Agent in Dry Cleaning, and in Certain Consumer Products 27/03/2015 TODAY: EPA Administrator to Attend POLITICO’s Playbook Lunch 27/03/2015 MONDAY: EPA Administrator to Attend POLITICO’s Playbook Lunch 26/03/2015 EPA Report: Automakers Surpassing LightDuty Greenhouse Gas Standards News Releases from Headquarters
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Artículo publicado por EPA previniendo el uso de refrigerantes como agentes extintores.
Transcript of EPA Warns Against Use of Refrigerant Substitutes That Pose Fire and Explosion Risk
Last updated on 31/3/2015
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/61416ea839b0618e85257b9b0065aec0!opendocument
Newsroom
EPA Warns Against Use of Refrigerant Substitutes That Pose Fire andExplosion Risk
Release Date: 07/01/2013Contact Information: Dale Kemery (news media only), [email protected], 2025647839, 2025644355
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is warning homeowners, propane manufacturers andsellers, home improvement contractors and air conditioning technicians of potential safety hazards related to the use ofpropane or other unapproved refrigerants in home air conditioning systems.
EPA is currently investigating instances where propane has been marketed and used as a substitute for HCFC22 (R22),a refrigerant that is widely used in home air conditioning systems.
Home air conditioning systems are not designed to handle propane or other similar flammable refrigerants. The use ofthese substances poses a potential fire or explosion hazard for homeowners and service technicians.
EPA is aware of incidents that have occurred both overseas and in the U.S. where individuals have been injured as aresult of the use of propane and other unapproved refrigerants in air conditioning systems. We are investigating and willtake enforcement actions where appropriate. Other names for these unapproved refrigerants include R290, 22a, 22A, R22a, HC22a, and CARE 40.
At this time, EPA has not approved the use of propane refrigerant or other hydrocarbon refrigerants in any type of airconditioner. Homeowners and technicians are strongly recommended to limit use of propane or other hydrocarbons toonly those appliances specifically designed for these substances and that are properly marked to alert technicians that theequipment contains a flammable substance. EPA has approved the use of propane as a substitute refrigerant for R22 inindustrial process refrigeration systems and in new, standalone retail food refrigerators and freezers that are specificallydesigned to use flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants.
R22 is being phased out of production and importation under the Montreal Protocol, an environmental treaty ratified byevery country in the world designed to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of ozone depleting substances. EPA’sSignificant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program has already listed numerous refrigerants with improvedenvironmental, health and safety profiles and continues to evaluate other refrigerants that can be used to replace R22and other ozonedepleting substances.
More information about the EPA’s SNAP program: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/More information about R22a and alternatives for air conditioning: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/r22a.html
Search this collection of releases | or searchall news releases
Get news releases by email
View selected historical press releasesfrom 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.
Recent additions
30/03/2015 EPA Seeks Input forPotential Rule Banning orRestricting the Use of NMethylpyrrolidone (NMP) andMethylene Chloride for Usein Paint and CoatingRemoval
30/03/2015 EPA Seeks Input forPotential Rule Banning orRestricting the Use ofTrichloroethylene (TCE) as aCommercial Degreaser,Spotting Agent in DryCleaning, and in CertainConsumer Products
27/03/2015 TODAY: EPA Administratorto Attend POLITICO’sPlaybook Lunch
27/03/2015 MONDAY: EPAAdministrator to AttendPOLITICO’s Playbook Lunch
26/03/2015 EPA Report: AutomakersSurpassing LightDutyGreenhouse Gas Standards
News Releases from Headquarters
